Storage bin for bulk commodities

ABSTRACT

A high-capacity bin for storing loose agricultural commodities, for example, fruits and vegetables, has a basket, four risers, and two foot straps. The sidewalls of the basket have a curved contour in the form of a dome with waves superimposed on the dome along the entire length of the dome, to strengthen the sidewalls against compressive, hydraulic, and buckling forces. The four risers are removably attached to the four corners of the basket, and have a webbed pattern of ridges, and valleys defined between the ridges, to stiffen the risers. The foot straps are removably retained by posts and sockets formed on the bottom of the basket.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE SUBJECT TECHNOLOGY

The subject technology relates to high-capacity bins for storing loose agricultural commodities, for example, fruits and vegetables.

Bulk storage bins are used in agriculture to store loose commodities for harvest, handling, storage, and shipping. Reusable plastic bins, for example, the Hybrid 1012 and Hybrid 1212 bins, products of the Applicant, are sometimes used for these purposes. The weight of the commodities stored in a bin exert considerable pressure on the walls and floor of the bin. Additionally, to conserve floor space, empty or loaded bins may be stacked, so that the footprint of the stack is that of a single bin. The Hybrid 1012 and Hybrid 1212 bins have a weight capacity of 500 kg per bin, and may be stacked 10 bins high, for a total stack weight capacity of 5,000 kg. Bulk storage bins and their components are subject to forces, stresses and pressure which may cause bowing, buckling, and failure.

A U.S. design patent application filed on the same day as this design patent application, titled “STORAGE BASKET,” in the name of Todd Turner, Ser. No. ______, is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE SUBJECT TECHNOLOGY

According to an aspect of the subject technology, a high-capacity bin system for storing agricultural loose commodities comprises: (1) a square or rectangular basket having a certain structure, (2) four risers (also referred to as legs) which are adapted to attach to the four corners of the basket to provide additional support, (3) a pair of foot straps which are adapted to attach to posts disposed at the bottom of the basket. The basket is structured to manage and balance the hydraulic pressure exerted by the agricultural loose commodities stored therein. More specifically, the floor and four sides of the basket each have an overall configuration of waves superimposed on a dome, as will be further described. The basket is structured to be nestable in a stack with other identical baskets, for shipping and storage of the system. Risers and foot straps may be stowed in the top basket of the nested stack or between baskets.

The components of the subject storage bin may be made of any suitable material, for example, food-grade polypropylene resin, and by any suitable means, for example, injection molding.

According to an aspect of the subject technology, a storage bin for bulk commodities comprises the following components. The storage bin comprises a basket having four corners and a bottom and adapted to store bulk commodities, the basket comprising a floor, four sidewalls rising from the floor, and a rim disposed at a top portion of the four sidewalls, each of the four sidewalls having a curved contour in the form of a dome with waves superimposed on the dome along the entire length of the dome. The basket further comprises four corner rim sockets formed in the rim of the basket, four corner posts disposed on the bottom of the basket, and four side sockets disposed on the bottom of the basket between the corner posts. The sidewalls may have the same length, or a pair of sidewalls is longer than the other pair of sidewalls. In the latter case, the waves superimposed on the dome of the short sidewalls may comprise three peaks and the waves superimposed on the dome of the long sidewall may comprise four peaks. Due to the domed contour with superimposed waves, the sidewalls are entirely or at least partially curved.

The storage bin further comprises four risers removably attached or removably attachable to the four corners of the basket, each of the four risers comprising a pillar portion and a riser post portion disposed atop the pillar portion, the riser post portions adapted to be received and removably retained in corner rim sockets formed in the rim of the basket. The pillar portion of the riser has a webbed pattern of ridges, and valleys defined between the ridges, to stiffen the pillar portion against compressive, hydraulic and buckling forces.

The storage bin further comprises two foot straps, each of the foot straps comprising a first foot socket, a foot post, and a second foot socket, the first foot socket and second foot socket disposed at respective ends of the foot strap, the foot post disposed at the center of the foot strap, and a first strap member connecting the first foot socket with the foot post, and the second strap member connecting the second foot socket with the foot post, the first foot socket and second foot socket adapted to receive and removably retain the corner posts disposed on the bottom of the basket, the foot post adapted to be received and removably retained in the side sockets formed on the bottom of the basket between the corner posts.

According to another aspect of the subject technology, a kit for constructing a storage bin for storage of bulk commodities comprises a basket, four risers, and two foot straps, as previously described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a basket for containing loose commodities according to a non-limiting embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a basket for containing loose commodities according to another non-limiting embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the basket of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a side view of the basket of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the basket of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a top view of the basket of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is an annotated version of FIG. 6 , with the addition of lines to show the geometries of the basket of FIG. 1 , specifically, the domed sidewalls with superimposed waves.

FIG. 8 is detail view of FIG. 7 , with the addition of lines to show the geometries of the basket of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the basket of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 10 is a front view of a riser according to a non-limiting embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the riser of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a detail view of the riser of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 13 is a top view of the riser of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 14 is a front view of a foot strap according to a non-limiting embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the foot strap of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the foot strap of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 17 is a top view of the foot strap of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of an assembly of the basket of FIG. 1 , risers of FIG. 10 , and foot straps of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 18 .

FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of an assembly of the basket of FIG. 1 , risers of FIG. 10 , and foot straps of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 20 .

FIG. 22 is a side view of a stack of baskets of FIG. 1 , with risers of FIG. 10 assembled to the bottom basket.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the stack of FIG. 22 .

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the stack of FIG. 22 , showing stowage of additional risers of FIG. 10 and foot straps of FIG. 14 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECT TECHNOLOGY

As shown throughout the Figures, especially FIGS. 1-9 , in an embodiment of the subject technology, a basket 100 is provided for containing the agricultural commodities. Basket 100 has a generally rectangular or square configuration. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, basket 100 has a rectangular configuration with opposing long sidewalls 101 and short sidewalls 102. (Only one long sidewall 101 and short sidewall 102 is numbered in the drawings, similarly, other repeated features throughout the drawings are numbered only once, for clarity.) In an embodiment with a square configuration, not shown in the Figures, the sidewalls have the same length. Rim 103 surrounds and reinforces the open end of basket 100. Rim 103 has four corner rim sockets 104 formed therein and disposed at respective corners of rim 103. Rim 103 has four side rim sockets 103 formed therein and disposed on respective sides of rim 103. Sidewalls 102, 103 rise from floor 106, and generally slope outward. Corner posts 114 and side sockets 115 extend downward in the bottom region of basket 100. Rim 103 may have one or more upstanding corner tabs 111 formed therein.

Sidewalls 102, 103 and floor 106 of basket 100 may be solid, i.e. unvented, as shown in FIG. 1 , or they may be vented as shown in FIG. 2 , having a plurality of through-going vent holes 107 formed therein. It should be understood that FIG. 2 is merely an example of a vented basket, and that the position and number of vents can be various, as desired for various applications. For clarity, basket 100 will be shown in unvented form in the following Figures, however it should be understood that the same structure and disclosure is equally applicable to vented versions of basket 100.

According to an aspect of the subject technology, sidewalls 101, 102 are formed with a particular geometry which is advantageously manages and balances the hydraulic force exerted by the contained agricultural commodities. The force exerted on the walls of basket 100 by a load of commodities will tend to cause deformation and deflection of sidewalls 101, 102. The inventor has discovered that configuring the sidewalls 101, 102 in the overall contour of an arch or dome, with waves superimposed on the dome along the entire length of the dome, manages and balances this force. The waves 109 in sidewalls 101, 102 are best seen in the top view of FIG. 6 . The domes are best seen in FIG. 7 , which is the same top view with the schematic overlay of domes 108 and 112. In the embodiment shown, domes 108 in long sidewalls 101 are concave (i.e. rounded inward, toward the center of basket 100), while domes 112 in short sidewalls 102 are convex (i.e. rounded outward). As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 , waves 109 in long sidewalls 101 are configured to have four peaks 118 along the length of domes 108, while the waves in short sidewalls 102 are configured to have three peaks along the length of domes 112. This configuration advantageously reduces or eliminates flat surfaces in the sidewalls of the basket, which are prone to buckling. This configuration also is resistant to hydraulic displacement.

According to a further aspect of the subject technology, as best seen in FIG. 8 , the overall contour of the inner corners of basket 100 are formed to have a convex dome 113, joined at each end by straight joining sections 119 to the adjacent domes 108, 112. Like the domes in sidewalls 101, 102, this shape is rigid and resists buckling and hydraulic displacement.

According to a further aspect of the subject technology, as seen in the side views of FIGS. 3 & 4 , the floor of basket 100 is also domed, with a convex curvature, with waves formed in the dome.

It should be noted that in the non-limiting embodiment shown in the Figures, the sidewalls 101, 102 have no areas which are flat, that is, all portions of the sidewalls 101, 102 are curved, with the dome and wave geometry as described and shown. The inventor has discovered that flat sidewalls in high-capacity bins for storing loose agricultural commodities are prone to distortion, bulging, and buckling when under load in use. Therefore, according to an aspect of the subject technology, a substantial portion of the area (for example, over 30%, over 40%, over 50%, over 60%, over 70%, over 80%, over 90%, or 100% of the area) of the sidewalls of a storage bin are curved rather than flat.

In an embodiment, basket 100 has the following dimensions: external 47.24″ (L)×39.37″ (W)×31.1″ (H) (1,200 mm (L)×1,000 mm (W)×790 mm (H)), internal length 44.54″ (1131.4 mm), width 37.43″ (950.8 mm), volume capacity 39,045 cubic inches (640 liters. In a further embodiment, basket 100 has the following dimensions: external 47.24″ (L)×47.24″ (W)×31.1″ (H) (1,200 mm (L)×1,200 mm (W)×790 mm (H)), internal length 45.29″(1150.5 mm), width 45.29″ (1150.5 mm), volume capacity 47,689 cubic inches (780 liters).

According to a further aspect of the subject technology, as shown for example in FIGS. 10-13 , riser 200 has a structure adapted to removably attach to a basket 100 at the corners thereof to provide the assembly with additional strength in supporting and containing the load imposed by the contents of basket 100. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, riser 200 is a unitary part, for example a monolithic plastic molded part, having a pillar 201 and a riser post 202 at the top portion of the riser 200. The outer surface, i.e. the outward-facing surface, of pillar 201 is molded with a webbed pattern of ridges 203, with valleys 204 defined between the ridges, to stiffen the pillar against compressive, hydraulic and buckling forces. The inner surface of pillar 201 is convex and adapted to conform to the corners of basket 100. Riser post 202 is adapted to mate with corner rim sockets 104 of basket 100. Deflectable tab 205 is formed in riser post 202, to interlock into corner socket hole 116 and retain riser post 202 in its mating engagement with corner rim socket 104 unless tab 205 is manually pushed inward to disengage the interlock. The inner surface of riser post 202 is formed with inner curves 206 to cushion and resist buckling.

According to a further aspect of the subject technology, as seen for example in FIGS. 14-17 , foot straps 300 have a structure adapted to attach to a basket 100 at the bottom thereof to support the bin system on an underlying surface, for example, a concrete floor of a warehouse, or when stacked, the rim 103 of the basket 100 below. Foot straps 300 are intended to be used in pairs, which may be attached beneath the long sidewalls 101 or short sidewalls 102 of basket 100. A foot strap 300 comprises two foot sockets 301 disposed at respective ends of foot strap 300, foot post 302 disposed at the center of the foot strap 300, and two strap members 303 connecting foot strap 300 with foot sockets 301. Foot straps 300 are installed to the bottom of a basket 100, with corner posts 114 adapted to mate with foot sockets 301, and foot post 302 adapted to mate with side socket 115. Deflectable foot tabs 303 on foot sockets 301 and foot post 302 are adapted to interlock with corner socket holes 116 and side post hole 117 respectively, operating similarly to the riser post interlock described above. Strap members 303 will be of the correct length for foot strap 300 to match the long sidewall 101 or short sidewall 102 to which it will be installed, as the case may be. Foot recesses 304 may be present on the bottom surfaces of foot sockets 301.

When fully assembled for use, as seen for example in FIGS. 18-21 , four risers 200 and two foot straps 300 are assembled to a basket 100, as shown. It should be noted that the gap between foot straps 300 and the bottom of basket 100 permits the introduction of the forks of a forklift or similar lifter, for movement of the entire assembly and its contents.

The storage bin assemblies may be stacked after being loaded with commodities. In this configuration, corner tabs 111 of a lower assembly are received in foot recesses 304 of the assembly immediately above the lower assembly.

As best seen in FIGS. 22-24 , the storage bin system of the subject technology may be compactly stacked and organized for shipping and storage. When stacked as shown, baskets 100 are nested, with the rim 103 of a stacked basket 100 resting on the rim 103 of the basket below. There is sufficient space between the bottoms of the stacked baskets 100 that foot straps 300 may be stowed in the stacked baskets 100, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 24 . Also shown in that figure, risers 200 may be stowed in the top basket 100 of the stack.

While specific embodiments of the subject technology have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the subject technology, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. It will also be understood that the present subject technology includes any combination of the features and elements disclosed herein and any combination of equivalent features. The exemplary embodiments shown herein are presented for the purposes of illustration only and are not meant to limit the scope of the subject technology. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage bin for bulk commodities, the storage bin comprising: a basket having four corners and a bottom and adapted to store bulk commodities, the basket comprising a floor, four sidewalls rising from the floor, and a rim disposed at a top portion of the four sidewalls, each of the four sidewalls having a curved contour in the form of a dome with waves superimposed on the dome along the entire length of the dome.
 2. The storage bin of claim 1 further comprising four risers removably attached to the four corners of the basket, each of the four risers comprising a pillar portion and a riser post portion disposed atop the pillar portion, the riser post portions adapted to be received and removably retained in corner rim sockets formed in the rim of the basket.
 3. The storage bin of claim 1 further comprising two foot straps, each of the foot straps comprising a first foot socket, a foot post, and a second foot socket, the first foot socket and second foot socket disposed at respective ends of the foot strap, the foot post disposed at the center of the foot strap, and a first strap member connecting the first foot socket with the foot post, and the second strap member connecting the second foot socket with the foot post, the first foot socket and second foot socket adapted to receive and removably retain corner posts disposed on the bottom of the basket, the foot post adapted to be received and removably retained in side sockets formed on the bottom of the basket between the corner posts.
 4. The storage bin of claim 2, wherein the pillar portion of the riser has a webbed pattern of ridges, and valleys defined between the ridges, to stiffen the pillar portion against compressive, hydraulic and buckling forces.
 5. The storage bin of claim 1 wherein the basket further comprises four corner rim sockets formed in the rim of the basket, four corner posts disposed on the bottom of the basket, and four side sockets disposed on the bottom of the basket between the corner posts.
 6. The storage bin of claim 1 wherein the four sidewalls comprise two long sidewalls having a length, and two short sidewalls having a length less than the length of the two long sidewalls.
 7. The storage bin of claim 1 wherein the waves superimposed on the dome of a sidewall comprise three peaks or four peaks.
 8. The storage bin of claim 6 wherein the waves superimposed on the dome of the short sidewalls comprise three peaks and the waves superimposed on the dome of the long sidewall comprise four peaks.
 9. The storage bin of claim 1 wherein each sidewall has an area and comprises a flat portion or portions, and a curved portion or portions, and a total area of the curved portion or portions comprises over 30%, over 40%, over 50%, over 60%, over 70%, over 80%, over 90%, or 100% of the area of the sidewall.
 10. The storage bin of claim 1 wherein the floor has a curved contour in the form of a dome with waves superimposed on the dome along the entire length of the dome.
 11. The storage bin of claim 6 wherein the domes of the long sidewalls are concave and the domes of the short sidewalls are convex.
 12. A kit for constructing a storage bin for bulk commodities, the kit comprising: a basket having four corners and a bottom and adapted to store bulk commodities, the basket comprising a floor, four sidewalls rising from the floor, and a rim disposed at a top portion of the four sidewalls, each of the four sidewalls having a curved contour in the form of a dome with waves superimposed on the dome along the entire length of the dome, four corner rim sockets formed in the rim of the basket, four corner posts disposed on the bottom of the basket, and four side sockets disposed on the bottom of the basket between the corner posts; four risers removably attachable to the four corners of the basket, each of the four risers comprising a pillar portion and a riser post portion disposed atop the pillar portion, the riser post portions adapted to be received and removably retained in the corner rim sockets; and two foot straps, each of the foot straps comprising a first foot socket, a foot post, and a second foot socket, the first foot socket and second foot socket disposed at respective ends of the foot strap, the foot post disposed at the center of the foot strap, and a first strap member connecting the first foot socket with the foot post, and the second strap member connecting the second foot socket with the foot post, the first foot socket and second foot socket adapted to receive and removably retain corner posts of the basket, the foot post adapted to be received and removably retained in the side sockets of the basket.
 13. The kit of claim 12, wherein the pillar portion of the riser has a webbed pattern of ridges, and valleys defined between the ridges, to stiffen the pillar portion against compressive, hydraulic, and buckling forces.
 14. The kit of claim 12, wherein the four sidewalls comprise two long sidewalls having a length, and two short sidewalls having a length less than the length of the two long sidewalls.
 15. The kit of claim 12, wherein the waves superimposed on the dome of a sidewall comprise three peaks or four peaks.
 16. The kit of claim 14, wherein the waves superimposed on the dome of the short sidewalls comprise three peaks and the waves superimposed on the dome of the long sidewall comprise four peaks.
 17. The kit of claim 12, wherein each sidewall has an area and comprises a flat portion or portions, and a curved portion or portions, and a total area of the curved portion or portions comprises over 30%, over 40%, over 50%, over 60%, over 70%, over 80%, over 90%, or 100% of the area of the sidewall.
 18. The kit of claim 14, wherein the domes of the long sidewalls are concave and the domes of the short sidewalls are convex. 